Order of Play. In Singles, a server does five services at a stretch whether he gets the score or not, thereafter the service passes on the other player. The other player also gets the right of doing five services. Thus, the service changes after every five services.
In Doubles, the server makes a goods service, then the receiver shall make a goods return. The partner of the server shall make a good service, thereafer, and the partner of the receiver, then, shall make a good return. Thus, turn by turn, each player shall make service and return in that order.
Good Service:
The server places the ball on the palm of his free hand, open and flat, with fingers pressed together and thumb free. Then he shall project the ball in the air and do the service in a manner that the ball remains visible to the judge. Then the ball shall be struck in a way that it touches the server’s court and passes directly over or around the net, and touches the receiver’s court.
In Doubles, the ball shall first touch the server’s right hand, right of court or the central line on the side of the net. Then the ball, passing over or around the net, touches the receiver’s right-half court, or the central line on his side of the net.
Good Return:
After having been served or returned in play, the ball shall be so struck as to pass directly over or around the net. It should touch directly the opponent’s court.
Ball in Play:
The ball is in play when it is projected from the hand for service. It shall be deemed to be in play until:
- it has touched one court twice successively.
- it has touched anything other than the net and supports.
- it has been hit by a player more than one successively.
- it has touched a player or anything he wears or carries.
- in Doubles, it has touched the right half of the server or receiver.
A let:
A ball in play is called rally. A rally may be let if:
- The served ball touches the net or its supports.
- The service is delivered and the receiver is not yet ready.
- A player fails to do good service or return owing to some accident.
- The play is stopped for correction of the order of the game or the fault in ends.
